+1 for Barley Brown's. Stopped in on Portland > Denver trip last summer and was blown away. Didn't know a thing about the brewpub, we just got lucky and needed to stop for food as we passed through en route to Boise. Totally unassuming place with fantastic pale ales and IPA's.

I disagree, you must be confusing it with The Alchemist. DFH is easily one of the most hated breweries in the craft world. I can't think of any breweries (beyond BMC) that have close to as many haters.

I'm a big fan of Beachwood in Long Beach. They make beers that rival other more famous breweries in the state but get nowhere near the same recognition. They did win the mid-size brewpub of the year at GABF this weekend, so maybe they'll start to garner more attention.

I once saw Jason refer to Tree House as the Hill Farmstead of Mass. Not sure I would rank it among underrated breweries. It may not be that well-known yet, but I don't consider that to be the same thing as underrated.

Might sound silly, but I have to say AleSmith. Yes they get great ratings, and their Speedway varaints are off the charts, so not technically underrated. But their regulars outside of Speedway are barely talked about. Yet every one of them is near the top of their style. Don't think there is a brewery out there with better year round stuff than AleSmith, or more consistency all around.

ill take some flak for this one, but Anheuser Busch is a very underrated brewery. Note i said Brewery, not that their beers are underrated. Most of their beers suck.

In terms of being able to brew beer, AB beats almost every brewery in the country, and not in volume. In precision, accuracy, brewery specifications, and overall brewing skill. I still feel that if they ever wanted to make a truly epic double IPA or Imperial Stout, they could make the best one in the country.

however, in terms of beer, id go with Sam Adams. People have a serious hategasam for them (because their not local or small I suppose) and that bias hits them hard on a lot of the reviews of their beer.

however, in terms of beer, id go with Sam Adams. People have a serious hategasam for them (because their not local or small I suppose) and that bias hits them hard on a lot of the reviews of their beer.

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I havent had a Sam Adams that has really impressed me, and I get their seasonal 12 pack almost every season. In fact, beers by them I once thought were good before I was really into craft beer now seem really boring. Had an Old Fezziwig a couple nights ago, this was a beer I really enjoyed just a year ago, and drain poured about a third of it.

The truth is, Sam Adams makes good beer for people who aren't really into beer. They get many people to try new styles they'd never otherwise look at, and for that, theyre awesome. But for the initiated, their beers don't really hit the spot.

Otter Creek. They are a mid-range brewery, that has a really good black IPA, and a great Amber ale. Their Stovepipe porter is one of the best out their, and the Russian Imperial Stout is outstanding. Arguably the best beer for the buck in the nation.

I havent had a Sam Adams that has really impressed me, and I get their seasonal 12 pack almost every season. In fact, beers by them I once thought were good before I was really into craft beer now seem really boring. Had an Old Fezziwig a couple nights ago, this was a beer I really enjoyed just a year ago, and drain poured about a third of it.

The truth is, Sam Adams makes good beer for people who aren't really into beer. They get many people to try new styles they'd never otherwise look at, and for that, theyre awesome. But for the initiated, their beers don't really hit the spot.

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Speak for yourself man, plenty of "the initiated" think that the Boston Beer Co is a fantastic brewery

I havent had a Sam Adams that has really impressed me, and I get their seasonal 12 pack almost every season. In fact, beers by them I once thought were good before I was really into craft beer now seem really boring. Had an Old Fezziwig a couple nights ago, this was a beer I really enjoyed just a year ago, and drain poured about a third of it.

The truth is, Sam Adams makes good beer for people who aren't really into beer. They get many people to try new styles they'd never otherwise look at, and for that, theyre awesome. But for the initiated, their beers don't really hit the spot.

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This is just a silly argument.

Boring does not equate to bad. Does Sam Adams pump out envelope-pushing extreme beers that keep people in whale-hunting mode? No. Does that mean they don't produce a great line of drinkable, enjoyable by both beer guys and non-beer guys for reasonable prices and insane distribution? Fuck, no.

Don't get me wrong. I rarely buy Sam Adams at this point, with the exception of Double Agent and Noble Pils. However, if I'm going to a party or other get together, it is almost always the pack I choose to pick up. Everyone likes it, even those who aren't "into beer," and it is still good enough for me to thoroughly enjoy.

The "hategasms" against Sam Adams are real, and it's not because they're a bad brewery...not even close. They are raged against because they are massively successful and available to everyone, making them "uncool" and "corporate" in this hipster-infested, fickle-minded hobby.

The truth is, Sam Adams makes good beer for people who aren't really into beer.

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You realize you're saying this about the brewery that is SINGLE-HANDEDLY responsible for the craft-brewing revolution in this country....?

Why not? SN is often over-looked because of how cheap or easy to find they are, especially beers like Stout or Kellerweiss. I can't tell you how many times I've read or seen (you know, in person) people knock or pass up a SNPA simply because they view it as a gate-way beer and not a real craft brew. SN is simply an incredible brewery that both gets a lot of hype (as deserved) and is overlooked because of how affordable and easy to find they are.

I havent had a Sam Adams that has really impressed me, and I get their seasonal 12 pack almost every season. In fact, beers by them I once thought were good before I was really into craft beer now seem really boring. Had an Old Fezziwig a couple nights ago, this was a beer I really enjoyed just a year ago, and drain poured about a third of it.

The truth is, Sam Adams makes good beer for people who aren't really into beer. They get many people to try new styles they'd never otherwise look at, and for that, theyre awesome. But for the initiated, their beers don't really hit the spot.

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I'm one of the initiated. I love a few of their beers (Noble Pils, IPL, Boston Lager, Octoberfest). Does that mean I'm not one of the initiated anymore?

I once saw Jason refer to Tree House as the Hill Farmstead of Mass. Not sure I would rank it among underrated breweries. It may not be that well-known yet, but I don't consider that to be the same thing as underrated.

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Agree with this. They are still VERY new and all the attention they have been getting is positive...very small and very new, not underrated IMO...

unless someone who has had Julius didn't put it immediately in their top 3...THEN they're underrated, because it's the best beer i've ever had